From Capitol News Illinois: A bill heading to the House would allow minors to consent to receiving birth control without parental consent. The governor also says he will sign a measure to ban “junk fees,” or unlisted charges tacked onto the total of cost of ticketed events

A pregnant ER nurse was kicked by a patient. Prosecutors, hospitals and nurses say violence has become routine – and convictions remain rare

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois General Assembly is considering extending unemployment benefits to public school support staff during the 10 to 11 weeks of summer break

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library Downtown Branch, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet.

Workplace violence against nurses is rising – and hospitals are scrambling to respond, according to northern Illinois healthcare workers and hospital leadership.

From Capitol News Illinois: Consumer advocates filed testimony last week, calling on regulators to slash $178 million, or roughly 80%, of Nicor Gas’ recent rate hike request

A Winnebago County resident who potentially had a North American strain of hantavirus tested negative, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This summer, WQPT PBS invites families to join its “Summer of Adventure” tour, featuring guest appearances at library story times and community events throughout the region.

From Capitol News Illinois: A rare federal misdemeanor trial is set for next week in the case of the remaining “Broadview Six” protesters even after prosecutors dropped the overarching felony conspiracy charge against them earlier this month

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 15 to 26 during the Memorial Day travel period.

House Bill 4273 would prohibit a company selling homeowners insurance from increasing premiums by more than 10% without first notifying the consumer 60 days prior.

From Capitol News Illinois: Backers of a bill aimed at limiting law enforcement’s use of biometric surveillance say they’re not looking to move the measure this legislative session

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week it will soon repay up to $60,000 in student loans for up to 50 eligible employees over four years as part of an initiative to attract recently graduated engineers

Illinois Department of Public Health urges the public to follow these guidelines for reducing the mosquito population and risks for West Nile.

Kankakee Mayor Chris Curts and his wife, Lori, had an encounter with the world's most influential figure.

From Capitol News Illinois: Public school advocates have rallied against the tax credit, arguing it is a voucher program, in which the state directly funds students’ private school tuition

From Capitol News Illinois: A group of well-known Chicago journalists, podcasters and voice actors are behind nine class-action lawsuits filed this week alleging major tech companies used their voices without their permission in order to train AI products

With food prices rising, local food pantries say they are 'deeply concerned' about changes to SNAP that could strip around 150,000 statewide from their monthly food assistance. L

From Capitol News Illinois: A proposal that would expand access to a federal program that discounts the price of prescription drugs could end up costing Illinois employers an additional $89 million a year

From Capitol News Illinois: Immigrant rights groups have filed federal tort claims against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the Sept. 30, 2025, immigration raid on an apartment complex in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood

Hantavirus can spread through contact with rodent droppings. Here are ways to protect your property.

The Illinois Municipal League has proposed the Reducing Expenses and Advancing Local Housing Act as an answer to Gov. Pritzker's housing plan that calls for relaxing zoning restrictions.

From Capitol News Illinois: Advocates are calling for the General Assembly to pass the POWER Act to regulate data centers before the legislative session ends on May 31

The annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser will take place from 5 a.m to noon Friday.

From Capitol News Illinois: With less than a month left in the spring legislative session, Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills aimed at regulating some artificial intelligence usage.

Besides those on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius where a deadly hantavirus outbreak occurred, there is a suspected case in Winnebago County, where Rockford is located.

For the first time in more than 200 years, a baby bison has been born in a Kane County forest preserve. For the American Indian Center, the birth represents a larger reconnection with the land and their shared history. Visitors to the park can see the "red dog" fuzzy calf.

As of Jan. 1, 2028, it will be illegal to sell the invasive Bradford pear tree – also known as the Callery pear – in Illinois.

From Capitol News Illinois: Growing pessimism over the direction of the global economy is leading budget analysts for the governor’s office and Illinois’ legislature to temper revenue expectations

People may think they’re helping by taking possession of young animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned, but most often, human intervention does more to hurt animals than to help, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.

From Capitol News Illinois: Chloe Park Medill Illinois News Bureau

Illinois health officials are investigating a potential case of hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident who is believed to have been exposed while cleaning a home containing rodent droppings. The case is not connected to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship

From Capitol News Illinois: JB Pritzker sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, urging the release of $1 billion in broadband infrastructure funds previously allocated to Illinois

From Capitol News Illinois: Twenty individual firefighters and six units from across Illinois were awarded for acts of bravery and service in an annual ceremony on Tuesday

As the days warm in May, local health experts caution anyone heading outdoors to take simple measures to protect themselves from ticks and the diseases they can cause

Breaking down the Illinois State Board of Education policy on school emergency closures and e-learning. Why schools need to conserve their days off, even once winter weather threats have passed

From Capitol News Illinois: A Cook County judge on Monday pushed off her scheduled ruling on whether to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged abuses by federal immigration agents during last fall’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”

The repairs are anticipated to be completed and the lane reopened by 5 a.m. Tuesday, weather permitting, the Illinois Department of Transportation said.

From Capitol News Illinois: As thousands of Illinois households lose their federal food assistance this month, business owners are also preparing for potential loss

Plainfield East students earned medals in seven events, setting a new school record and marking an increase from last year.

Experts say it’s too early to predict a mosquito surge this summer, and not just because of unpredictable weather, but also because different types of mosquitoes thrive in different temperatures

Inspections on both bridges are expected to be completed by May 23, weather permitting, the Illinois Department of Transportation said.

Illinois law prohibits the use of electric scooters unless they are authorized by a local ordinance. The law also sets statewide regulations for communities that do allow the use of e-scooters, including age requirements.

From Capitol News Illinois: There are leaders who question whether the benefits make up for increased energy prices and water use, and they’re calling on the General Assembly to pass regulations this spring through the POWER ACT.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois Senate advanced a bill that would ensure students who commit sexually violent crimes can be expelled from school

Prime Healthcare has been in network with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois since buying up Illinois medical facilities, and they will remain in network after June 1.

A firearm instructor from Frankfort has been charged with issuing a false concealed carry firearm training certification in exchange for $300.

Kaity Siegel, manager of Siegel's Cottonwood Farm in Lockport, said the decision to close the garden center wasn’t quick or easy.

From Capitol News Illinois: A federal judge on Thursday officially dismissed the main conspiracy charge against the remaining “Broadview Six” protesters indicted this past fall connected to a demonstration outside an ICE facility

From Capitol News Illinois: In an annual May ceremony, friends, family and supporters of law enforcement honored two Illinois police officers who died in the line of duty in 2025